Drilling apparatus



Oct. 28, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1944 v [iii/822%): flaberifl. 7227022010- R, w @mw a 1 v Q N :1.

Patented Oct. 28, 1952 DRILLING APPARATUS Robert Anthony McCallum. Michigan City, 1116.,

assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 23, 1944, Serial No. 559,982

9 Claims. (01. ass-41) 1 This invention relates to drilling apparatus and more particularly to an improved feeding mechanism for the drilling implement of a drilling apparatus of the high speed rotary type especially designed for use in drilling blast holes in rock or the like.

An object of the present invention is'to provide an improved drilling apparatus of the rotary blast hole type. Another object'is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for the drilling implement of a rotary type drilling apparatus. Yet another object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism embodying relatively rotatable, mechanically interengaged feeding elements arranged in a novel manner. A further object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism wherein one of the feeding elements is arranged coaxially with and extends into a'motorelement of the drilling motor. A still urther object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism embodying a stationary feed screw arranged coaxially' with and extending into a motor element of the drilling motor and a cooperating rotary feed nut driven by and movable with the drilling motor. Yet another object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism having improved variable speed driving means therefor. Still another object is to provide in a drilling apparatus of the sort referred to an improved general arrangement of parts, and especially an improved relationship between the feeding mechanism and the other elements. These and other objects and advantages fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration two forms which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a Side elevational view of a drilling apparatus constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken through the drilling apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away to facilitate illustration. I

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 5.

.. Fig, 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 2 the plane of. Fig. 2, illustrating anotherembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is across-sectional view taken substantially on line 8 -8 of Fig. 7. i

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken on line 99ofFig.7. I I

In both illustrative embodiments of the invention, there is shown an improved rotary high speed rock drilling apparatus of the blast hole type embodying a motor I for rotating a drilling implement 2, herein preferably a diamond impregnated bit, and an improved feeding mech anism 3 for moving the drilling motor back and forth along a guide 4. While the invention is shownembodied in. a drilling apparatus of the rotary type, evidently various features of the invention may be associated with drilling apparatus of other types.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invert-J tion shown'in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, thedrilling motor I is herein of the rotary type and is preferably a high speed electric motor of the totally enclosed type having a stator casing 5 provided with front and rear heads 6 and 1. The motor 5 heads are attached to the motor casing by tiebolts' 8. The motor has a usual field 9 and an armature rotor I0, the latter being fixed to a tubular shaft H journaled in bearings suitably supported in the motor heads. Attached by a coupling I2 to the reduced threaded forward end of the tubular motor shaft H is a drill rod 13 which carries thedrilling implement 2. Mounted on the rotary coupling I 2 is a stufiing box I4 through which cleansing fluid may be supplied from a hose connection l5 through passages 16 to the drill rod Hi to clear away the cuttings from the drilling implement during. the drilling operation in a well known manner. The rear motor head I has lateral guides l1, l1 slidably received in longitudinal guid'eways I8 of the guide 4, and the latter has a usual swivel plate 19 adapted to be clamped in a usual saddle mounting of a drill support.

Now referring to the improved feeding mechanism 3, shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, it will be the reduced rearward extremity 2| of the feed screw, to an upstanding support l2 secured as by bolts 23 to the rear end of the guide 4. When the drilling motor is inits retracted position on the guide, the stationary feed screw I9 is telescopically arranged within the tubular shaft I I,

of the motor in the manner shown in Fig. 2. The

rear motor head I is formed with a chamber 24 closed by a rear cover plate 25 detachably secured as by screws 26 to the motor head. Journaled within a bearing 2! supported by the cover plate 25, and arranged in the rear head chamber 24 is a rotatable feed nut 28 engaging the threads of the stationary feed screw (9. If desired the forward end of the feed nut 28 may be journaled on a bearing on the rearward portion of the tubular motor shaft, and thrust bearings may be provided at the opposite ends of the feed nut for transmitting the feedin pressures to the drilling motor. A similar bearing mounting for the feed nut is disclosed hereinafter in the modi-v fled embodiment of the invention. Also arranged in the head chamber 24 is a variable speed reduction gearing generally designated 29 operatively connected between the motor rotor l0 and the feed nut 28 for rotating the latter at variable speeds. The reduction gearing 29 is preferably of the frictionally controlled planetary type and, in this instance, comprises a rotatable carrier 30 having its hub 3| keyed at 32 to the rear end of the motor shaft ll. Secured at 33 to the rotary carrier 30 are stub shafts 34 on which planet gears 35, herein three, are journaled, and these planet gears mesh with a sun gear 36 secured to the rotatable feed nut 28. Planet gears 31 respectively formed integral with and of smaller diameter than the gears mesh with a reaction gear 38, the latter preferably formed integral with a friction drum 39 suitably journaled on the feed nut 28. A suitable friction band 40 is adapted to engage the outer periphery of the friction drum 39 to hold the latter from rotatable movement or to allow the friction drum to slip therein for varying the speed of the planetary reduction gearing and for preventing overload of the parts therein and driven thereby in an obvious manner. The

friction band 48 is at one end pivotally connected rounding the bolt urges the ends of the band apart toward released position. By adjustment of this hand nut, the friction band may be tightened or loosened as desired. When the friction band 40 is loosened, the reaction gear 38 is free to rotate, and, as a result, durin running of the motor, the planet gears 35 may freely revolve around the sun gear 35 while the feed nut 28 remains stationary. When the friction drum 39 is held against rotation by the friction band 40 and the reaction gear 38 is held against rotation, the carrier 30, as it is driven by the motor, effects clockwise (looking forwardly) planet motion of the planetary gears 31 about the non-rotating reaction gear 38, and, as a result, the planet gears 35revolve and drive the sun gear 36 to effect rotation of the feed nut 28 at a slow speed to effeet forward feed. As the feed nut is rotated, the drilling motor I is fed forwardly along the guideways of the guide 4. By adjusting the friction band the friction drum may be allowed to slip therein for varying the speed of the planetary gear reduction and for preventing overload of the feed. To effect reversal of the feed, the drilling motor may be reversible or, if desired, a conventional planetary reverse gearin may be embodied in the planetary reduction gearing 29 so that reverse drive of the feed nut may be effected without reversing the motor. Since a reversible planetay gearing is well known further disclosure thereof herein is considered unnecessary.

In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, the drilling apparatus is generally similar to that described above, but, in this instance, there is provided a frictionally controlled planetary reduction gearing, generally designated 50, embodying a selective transmission, whereby the feed nut may be selectively driven at different predetermined speeds and under friction control at any speed. In this embodiment, a rotatable feed nut 28 engages the threads of the stationary feed screw l 9 and is journaled in the rear head casing. Secured to the rear end of the tubular motor shaft II is a flange 5| to which is secured, as by screws 52, a rotatable carrier 53, the latter in turn being freely rotatable on bearings 54. Supported by the spaced end portions of the carrier 53 are shafts 55 on which" planet gear units 55 are journaled. These planet gear units are three in number and are identical in construction and each comprises gears 51, 58, 59, 69 and GI rigidly secured together as by rivets B2. The gears 51, 58, 59 and 68 are of different diameters, and each provides a different reduction, and the rear end gears 5| of the planet gear units mesh with an internal gear 63 formed on a rotatable member 64 secured to the feed nut 28'. The front bearing 54 is supported in the hub of the flange 51 while the rear bearing 54 is supported by the hub of the rotatable member 64, and the hub of the latter is journaled in a bearing supported by the end plate 25 of the rear casing head. These bearings also support the rotatable feed nut 28 as shown. The planet gears 57, 58, 59 and respectively mesh with internal gears 65, 56, 67 and 68 rotatably supported within the rear casing head. These internal gears may be rotatably mounted in various known manners and, in this construction, the opposite end internal gears 35 and 68 are journaled at 69 and 19 on the rotatable carrier 53 and the rotatable member 64 respectively, and the intermediate internal gears 66 and 61 are rotatably mounted at H and 12 on the gears 85 and 68 and also at 13 one on the other in the manner shown. These internal gears 65, 66, S1 and 68 are formed integral with rotatable friction drums with which friction bands l4, I5, 16 and H respectively cooperate. Each of these friction bands is pivotally connected at one end at 78 (see Fig. 8) to a bracket 19 secured to the rear head casing, and the other end of each band is pivotally connected at 80 to a bolt 8|. The bolt extends through an opening 82 in the pivoted end of the band and has a head 83 engaging the outer side of the pivoted end of the band. Interposed between the ends of the friction bands and surrounding the bolts 8| are springs 84 for urging the ends of the bands apart toward released position. For selectively tightening the friction bands, there is provided a shiftable cam member 85 secured to a slidable operating shaft 86 guided in a bore 81 in the end plate 25 of the rear head casing. The shaft has a handle 88 at its outer end whereby the same may be moved axially in its bore to bring the cam member 85 opposite the desired one of the friction bands so that, upon rotation of the cam member, the ends of the friction band may be drawn together against the compression of the spring to hold the friction drum stationary. A

spring "pressed detent 89 is engageable with grooves 90 on the shaft 86 for holding the cam member in its different positions of adjustment.

When the friction band-11, shownin Fig. 9, is tightened by the cam member 85, the internal .gear 68 is held against rotation, and, as the carrier 53 is driven by the motor shaft I I, the planet gears 6ll roll in an orbit around the then stationary internal gear as a trackway, at the same timerevolving on the shafts 55. As the planet gears; 50 revolve, the planet gears 5| revolve therewith driving the internal gear 53 which is secured to the feed nut 28. The friction band 11 may be adjusted by the cam member 85 to slip to vary the rate of rotation of the feed nut. The

ingly evident that the feed nut may be driven selectively at four different forward speeds and any of tli'ese speeds may be varied by slipping the friction bands. As in the other embodiment of the invention, suitable reverse gearing may be *associate'd with the'planetary gearing to effect reversal of the drive of the feed nut, or feed nut reversal may be effected simply by reversing the motor.

The general mode of the operation of the improved drilling apparatus will-be clearly apparent from the description given. When the drilling motor I is running and the tubular shaft l i of the motor armature rotor I0 is rotating, the drilling implement 2 rotates therewith and liquid may be supplied tothe drilling implement through the hose'connection i5, stuiling box Hand drill rod. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, when the drilling motor 1 is in the position shown in Fig. 1 on'the guide 4 and the drillin implement 2 is rotating, the operator may manipulate the hand nut 48 to effect tightening of the frictionband 40,thereby frictionally to hold the friction drum 39 against rotation. The feed nut 28 is then driven through the planetary reductiongearing 35,36, 31 and 38 relative to the stationary feed screw 19 in a direction and at a speed to effectfeed of the drilling motor forwardly along the guideways of the guide 4, thereby to move the drilling implement toward the rate of feed may be varied, and, by releasing the friction bands, feed'may be interrupted' during running of the drilling motor. As in the other embodiment, reverse feed may be effected work. The feeding speed may be varied by slipping. the friction band hand, when the friction band is released, feed may be interrupted while the drilling motor continues tooperate. When'it' is desired to retract the drillingimplement from thework, this may be accomplished simply by reversing the motor I, although, as previously mentioned, a suitable reverse planetary drive may be associated with the planetary reduction gearing to'efiect rotation of the feed nut in. reverse feeding direction without reversing the drilling motor.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figs;

7 to'9 inclusive, the mode of operation of the drilling apparatus is generally similar to that abovedescribed. When the drilling motor is running and the motor shaft II is rotating, the carrier 53 revolves therewith and when one of the four friction bands l4, 15, I6 and His applied, the feed nut 28 may be rotated through the planet gears, internal gear 63 and rotatable support in adirection and at a speed to effect forward feed. By shifting the cam member 85 into engagement with the desired one of the four friction bands, the desired feeding speed may be selected. By slipping the friction bands, the

simply by reversing the drilling motor or by operating a suitable reverse planetary drive for the feed nut, associated with the planetary re-' duction gearing. i

As a result of this invention, an improved drilling apparatus is provided whereby a drilling implement may be fed with respect to the work in an improved manner. By means of the im-' proved general arrangement of parts and es-- pecially the improved relationship between the feeding mechanism and the other elements, an

extremely compact and simplified construction I is obtained. By extending the stationary feed-- ing element into the drill rotating shaft in 00- axial relation with the drilling motor, notonly an extremely compact construction results, but" also it is possibleto drive the rotatable feeding element directly from the motor shaft of the drill. The novel arrangement of the feeding ele-' ments enables improved driving of the rotatable feeding element through driving gearing carried by the drilling tool in an improved manner.

Further, the novel arrangement of the feed. screw in axial alignment with'the drilling tool enables application of feeding forces in direct line with the drill rod and bit, thereby, to a large extent, eliminating undesirable twisting tendencies, resulting in better balance and improved efficiency. Other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there arein'this application specifically" described two forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or thescope of'the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: -1; In a drilling apparatus, a guide-providing a guideway, a drilling motor guided for movement along said guideway and having a rotatable motor element and a tubular shaft coaxial withand driven by saidmotor element, a con-.

nection for a drilling implement secured to the front. end of said tubular motor shaft, a feeding element secured at its rear end to said guide against movementrelative thereto and extending forwardly into said tubular shaft from a point to the rear of themotor, and a rotatable feeding element, at the rear end of said tubular shaft 2. In a drilling apparatus, a bodily movable motor for rotating a drilling implementand having a tubular shaft extending axially, thereof,

a connection for a drilling implement secured. to the front end of said shaft, and means [for feeding said motor bodily to move the drilling implement toward the work at-a drilling speed including a stationary feeding element extend; ing forwardly intosaid motor shaft fronra point" to the rear of said motor and a rotatable feeding element arranged at the rear end of said motor and driven by said tubular. shaft, said rotatable feeding element engaging said stationary feeding element and movable forwardly therealong with said motor during feed.

3'. In a drilling apparatus, a bodily movable motor for rotating a drilling implement and having a tubular shaft extending axially thereof, a connection for a drilling implement secured to the front end of said motor shaft, and means for feeding said motor to move the rotatable drilling implement toward the work to effect drilling and including a stationary feeding element extending forwardly into said tubular motor shaft from a point to the rear of said motor, and a rotatable feeding element movable forwardly with said motor and engaging said stationary feeding element at the rear end of said motor and movable axially relative to said stationary feeding element during the feeding operation, and variable speed transmission means at the rear end of said motor and movable bodily with the latter for connecting said motor shaft in driving relation with said rotatable feeding element for rotating the latter to effect feed, saidtransmission means embodying means adjustable for effecting rotation of said rotary feeding element at different speeds.

4. In a drilling apparatus, a bodily movable drilling motor having a rotatable tubular shaft for: rotating a drilling implement and said motor and shaft mounted for axial movement with the drilling implement during the drilling operation, a connection for a drilling implement secured at the front end of said motor shaft, and means for bodily feeding said motor to effeot axial movement of said shaft and the drilling implement during its rotation to feed the drilling implement toward the work at a drilling speed including a stationary feeding element extending axially into said tubular shaft, a rotatable feeding element arranged atthe rear end of said motor and cooperating with said stationary feeding element and moving axially with said motor shaft during feed, and means for driving said rotatable feeding element from the rear end of said tubular shaft at a rotationspeed substantially reduced from the speed of rotation of said motor shaft.

5. In a drilling apparatus, a bodily movable motor for rotating and feeding a drilling implement, a tubular drill spindle coaxial with and driven by said motor, a connection for a drilling implement secured to the front end of said spindle, and means operatively connected to the rear end of said spindle for moving said motor to feed the drilling implement toward the work at a drilling speed during drilling including a stationary feed screw extending forwardly axially into said spindle from a point to the rear of the latter.

6. A drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a tubular drill spindle, a motor having a rotor coaxial with and fixed to said drill spindle for rotating the latter, a connection for a drilling implement secured to the front end of said spindle a guide having guideways slidably supporting said motor, a feed screw extending forwardly into said drill spindle and fixed at its rear end to'said guide against movement relative thereto, a rotatable feed nut mounted to move bodily with said motor along said guideways and operatively engaging said feed screw and having a gear portion, a rotatable reaction gear coaxial with said. drill spindle and mounted for bodily movementwith said motor, planetary gears carried feed nut, and adjustable means for variably re-,

sisting the rotation of said reaction gear to vary the speed of rotation of said feed nut.

7. A drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a tubular drill spindle, a motor hav ing a rotor coaxial with and fixed to said drill spindle for rotating the latter, a connection for a drilling implement secured to the front end of said spindle, a guide having guideways slidably supporting said motor, a feed screw extending forwardly into said drill spindle and fixed at itsrear end to said guide against movement relative thereto, a rotatable feed nut mounted to move bodily with said motor along said guideways and operatively engaging said feed screw and having a gear portion, reaction gears coaxial with said feed nut and supported for rotation relative thereto, planetary gearsof different diameters meshing severally with said reaction gears and the gear portion of said feed nut, and adjustable means for selectively and variably resisting the rotation of said reaction gears to vary the speed of rotation of said feed nut.

8. A drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a tubular drill spindle, a motor having a rotor coaxial with said drill spindle for rotating the latter, a connection for a drilling implement secured to the front end of said spindle, a guide having guideways slidably supporting said motor, a feed screw extending forwardly into said drill spindle and at its rear end fixed to said guide against movement relative thereto, a rotatable feed nut operatively engaging said feed screw and mounted to move with said motor, said feed nut arranged coaxial with said spinle at the rear end thereof and having a gear portion, a rotatable reaction gear coaxial withv said drill spindle and mounted for bodily movement with said motor, planetary gears carried by said drill spindle and operatively engaging said reaction gear and the gear portion of said feed nut, and adjustable frictional resistance means for variably resisting the rotation of said reaction gear to vary the speed of rotation of said feed nut.

9. A drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a tubular drill spindle, a motor having a rotor coaxial with said drill spindle for rotating the latter, a connection for a drilling im plement secured to the front end of said spindle, a guide having guideways slidably supporting said motor, a feed screw extending forwardly into said drill spindle and fixed at its rear end to said guide against movement relative thereto, a rotatable feed nut operatively engaging said feed screw and arranged coaxial with said spindle at the rear end of the latter, said feed nut having a gear portion, reaction gears coaxial with said feed nut and supported for rotation relative thereto, planetary gears of different diameters meshing severally with said reaction gears and the gear portion of said feed nut, and adjustable frictional resistance means for selectively and variably resisting the rotation of said reaction gears to vary the speed of rotation of said feed nu ROBERT ANTHONY MCCALLUM. 7

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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